Bishop Bill's Bulletin

Dear Members of the Diocesan Family

Easter Greetings:Robin and I along with the staff of the Registry wish you every blessing as you journey through Holy Week and celebrate the joy of the Resurrection on Sunday. For those who are travelling we pray your journeys will be safe.

I usually phone all clergy just before Easter and Christmas. Due to some timeline issues, I will be phoning in Easter season.

Those who have entered their eternal rest:Mrs Nancy Evans:Nancy is the mother of The Reverend Mark Evans and mother in law of Sandy. Nancy entered her eternal rest peacefully and her earthly life was celebrated on 8th April. We assure Mark and Sandy of our love and prayers and pray for their safe travels to and from Victoria.

The Reverend Alfred Andrews:Alfred was deaconed in 1978 and priested in 1979. He was an Assistant at Ingham from 1978-86, then Rector at Home Hill in 1986. In 1989 he was Rector of Ayr and installed as a Canon of the Cathedral in 1990.We assure Alfred's loved ones of our love and prayers at this time.

Three Hours at the Cathedral:There will be the Three Hour Good Friday Devotion at the Cathedral. All are invited. There has been a couple of enquiries as to whether you have to stay for the whole time. The answer is no. Those reflecting on the cross come and go, but I suggest if you are leaving you leave during a hymn.

Chrism Services:Tonight at 6.00pm, at the Cathedral, Clergy and Lay Ministers will renew their vows and I will bless the holy oils.

Tomorrow evening at St. Saviour's Kuranda, the service is at 5.00pm.

I am still to set a date and time for the Southern Region. Unfortunately, Cyclone Debbie changed our plans! I will be in touch in regard to this service.

Cyclone Debbie Recovery:Members of the Australian Church have been very generous. If you know of anyone who would benefit from some financial assistance please contact my office. Recipients do not have to be Anglican or Church goers. They have to be people in need who could do with assistance.

As mentioned before the recovery will take quite some time. Please keep praying for those who are still seeking accommodation, as well as those who are seeking to restore services to communities. I was surprised yesterday to hear on the radio that the electricity supply will have to be replaced in time. This will be a massive task.

The Coptic Church:Please continue to pray for the nation of Egypt, the Coptic Church and the families of the more than forty people killed and over one hundred injured. Traditionally Palm Sunday is a day where the Church prays for peace and in years past there were peace rallies across the globe. This is an immense tragedy and we pray for all who are seeking to assist the families and those investigating this horrendous crime.

The Diocese sold St. Oswald's Wulguru here in Townsville to the Coptic Church. They have becomefriends to us and we assure the Coptics here in North Queensland of our love and prayers.

Paul writing to the Church in Rome says in 12:12, "persevere in prayer". There are other referencesin Scripture as well to persevering in prayer. There is a difference between saying our prayers (andthat we must) to truly persevering in prayer. I ask that we all persevere in prayer for the peace ofthe world, particularly this Good Friday. Traditionally as Anglicans we pray for peace for Jerusalemand our Good Friday offerings go towards the ministry of the Church in Jerusalem.

Messy Church:Kidzlink will sponsor three workshops on Messy Church in the middle of the year. I am delightedSue and Trevor Taylor have agreed to lead the workshops. More details later.

There will be another Bulletin in the middle of next week.Once again I assure you of my prayers for a holy and blessed Easter.